The former governor of Rivers state and present Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has disclosed that he did not upgrade over four traditional stools in Ekpeyeland, during his tenure as governor, because of the individuals occupying the stools, but rather because it was the right thing to do.
Chief Barr. Wike made this known at Ochigba, Ahoada East LGA, during an End of The Year Thanksgiving Service organized by stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party, in Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who was the Special Guest of Honour for the occasion, recalled that when he became governor, Ekpeye Ethnic group had only one government recognized traditional ruler with First Class status, unlike other ethnic groups in the state. To ensure equity and parity, he quickly ensured that the Ekpeye people will have more first class Chiefs like the others by elavating three chiefdoms to first class status. He also elavated the chiefdom of the Engennis in Ahoada West to first class.
According to Chief Wike, “before me, no other governor could do it. No other governor had the audacity to do it, but I did it, because it was the right thing to do, so that Ekpeye will be like others in the state. I did not do it because of any individual. It was for the people. So you shouldn’t mind people who like character and integrity, who are going about the place making noise”.
Continuing, Chief Wike said, ” I heard that some people were in Ahoada last week and were saying things that were not true. They insulted Chibudom Nwuche. They were talking about projects. But it is only you people that knows the truth. I awarded the contract for Community Girls Secondary school, Ahoada. I paid 50% of the contract sum. The contract was awarded to Eric Apia and Marshall Uwom. I awarded the contract for the dualization of the Ahoada -Omoku Road. We negotiated with Julius Berger, and 8 billion was taken from the state Internally Generated Revenue to pay them. I established the Ahoada Campus of the Rivers State University here. In some of the projects we paid, 50% of the contract sum, believing that the governor coming after us, will continue the projects. That was why we ensured that those coming after we’re people we thought we could work with, but the rest is history”.
Wike also thanked the organizers of the program for their vision and commitment to ensuring unity of the PDP in Ahoada East and West. “I heard that I took just three days to organize this program. It is a testament to the resolve and dedication of the team that put it together. I want to especially thank Chibudom Nwuche and his team. It is a good thing to end the year in thanksgiving”.
Earlier in welcoming the Minister to Ekpeyeland, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, described, Chief Barr. Wike as an In-law, son and brother of the Ekpeyes’.
Hon. Nwuche noted that part of the reason for the Thanksgiving was also to thank the former governor for his numerous landmark projects and empowerment of Ekpeye people.
According to Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, Other Developmental Projects embarked by Chief Wike, in Ekpeye/Engenni as governor includes (1) Construction of Edeoha/Ikata/Ochigba roads; (2.) Ahoada/Odhiemerenyi/Ihugbogo/Odhieke roads; (3) Ahoada/Ekpena roads; (4) Ogbo/Ihugbogo roads; (5) Odhiemudie road; (6)Ula-Ehuda/Odhioku/Odhiereke road; (7) Odhioku Internal roads (8) Obodhi/Ozochi road with bridge across Orashi River; (9) Dualization of Ahoada/Omoku road with street lights; (10) Remodeling of Western Ahoada County High School Ahoada; (11) Siting of Ahoada campus of Rivers State University; (12) Construction of Mbiama/Agbo/Okarki Road; (13) Remodeling of Government Secondary School Okarki; (14) Odhioku Water Project; (15) Odhioku Primary Health Care Center; (16) Ogbede School Project; (17) Odhiognor School Project; (18) Upgrading and classification of 7 traditional stools to First Class; (19) Appointment of Ekpeye/Engenni sons and daughters into positions in his government and (20) Empowerment of Ekpeye/Engenni sons and daughters through contract awards etc.
